Building my first gaming rig.

[Domestic_Ginger]

Real? Hmm... can I see a review or article or anything that actually says this? I find that hard to believe, the reviews I've seen have showing slightly better framerates in games for example.

It opens up the acceptable framerate discussion; I can't find a satisfactory answer on the web. It seems person dependant too! I think if we are talking top of the range games maxed out and a 20%increase in framerates then its very real but with only a few %, surely there is no noticable difference.

I couldn't really comment without using the two systems side by side to whether there is any noticable difference.

[Just Browsing]

Thanks for the brilliant responses so far, chaps. Really, really appreciating all the feedback and patience.

I have a million and one questions. However, while I'm in a race, would the Corsair 4GB 1600MHz CL9 DDR3 Memory Kit work with my ASUS M4A79-T Deluxe and Phenom X4 965 Black Edition setup?

Seems like a decent deal to me so far. Also, I'll be looking into the MSI mobo recommendation right now. I notice that the MSI is aimed at "gamers" according to their marketing so I'll definitely be looking through some reviews/comparisons.

Current build so far:

- Corsair 4GB 1600MHz CL9 DDR3 Memory Kit (provided this is confirmed to be compatible)
- Samsung F3 1TB HDD (perhaps x2 if I can get the first one working... lol)
- ATI Radeon HD 5870
- LG DVD-RW Drive (might push the boat out and go for a blu-ray RW approach as the weekly backups of my dedicated server do take up a fair bit of space...)
- Corsair HX 850W PSU
- ASUS M4A79-T Deluxe motherboard
- Phenom X4 965 Black Edition
- Edimax EW-7128G NIC (I know next to nothing about this sort of thing and the main reason I've left it till last before I start researching into it is because I'd rather see if I can actually build the remainder of the PC first)
- Antec Nine Hundred Two

So, yeah, comments and critique are still more than welcome. Again: The feedback so far has been superb - keep it comin', folks!

Edit: If I were to go with an i7 920 setup. Would this MSI motherboard do the trick? I understand it's pretty barebones but according to reviews it's a top performer.

Anyone have any opinions of this i7 mobo? I'm also checking out the Intel DX58SO ATX Desktop Motherboard, too. Any other mobos for an i7 920 that are worth a look?

[Terbinator]

Yes the motherboard will work with a i7 920 - now go Core i7 already !!!

[Just Browsing]

Lol - thanks for the confirmation! Is it worth paying £40-£60 extra for the ASUS P6TD Deluxe mobo? Or would the MSI X58M suit me just fine? Again: I'm primarily after a gaming PC; other components are listed above. Not fussed about overclocking at the mo.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Out of interest:
1.)Do you need Crossfire or SLI??
2.)Do you intend to overclock??

[spac3d]

Lower RAM Timings are better. It's about latency, so the lower the better.

You can follow this guide as a rule of thumb to what PSU to buy, http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp - I recommend NOT scrimping on your PSU or Motherboard, you simply won't regret it. A

Also, you may want to researh how quiet your PSU, CPU FAN (Get a better one), and Case Fans are.

Make sure your HDD is 7200RPM, for gaming that is very essentially. Many of these 'Green Drives' spin slower and offer less performance.

I recommend the http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=10255 for the moment, because it's simply a great case on a great budget. I have that case, and the case fans that come with it can be a little loud, but I replaced them with lower dB versions.

In terms of motherboard/compatibilty, you can follow a rough guide on just buying decent brands. ASUS Motherboard, Corsair Ram, all very reliable brands etc, however, it is a good practice to read motherboard reviews because some motherboard have been fully tested with specific ram modules/brands, whether this is a marketing ploy, I don't know, but I've never had any issues using the suggested RAM.

Your motherboard seems to be pretty good, and may be a good start for you.

Your power supply is a good choice, if not a little overkill, but will be totally support 2 x 6 pin PCI-E for your ATI Graphics card.

[Just Browsing]

@CTF:

1. Perhaps in the future. Currently I'll just be happy with a single GFX card setup provided it can run the majority of games at a respectable resolution, details maxed and at an acceptable framerate.2

2. Certainly in the future. However, being a newbie, I wouldn't feel comfortable overclocking any of the components.

[nibbler]

I don't class 3-5 fps as a real advantage when its at 80 anyway. Not enough of a difference really.

[spac3d]

Oh and by the way, in regards to the Edimax EW-7128G NIC - I wouldn't personally use Wireless to game online. Your mum heats your chicken dinner in the microwave and you get fragged.

Use onboard 100/1000Mbit LAN my friend, no loss/problems.

[nightkhaos]

Oh and by the way, in regards to the Edimax EW-7128G NIC - I wouldn't personally use Wireless to game online. Your mum heats your chicken dinner in the microwave and you get fragged.

Dunno what microwave you use. I have yet to find a microwave that leaks microwaves and interferes with my WiFi signal.

[spac3d]

It was a joke?

serious nightkhaos is serious.

[Just Browsing]

Lol. The microwave thing has been noted.

I'll be using wireless for general internet browsing. I don't intend to play a massive amount of games online but if I do I'll hook it up to the router with a standard CAT5 cable.

So, ASUS P6TD Deluxe or MSI X58M? Or are there any alternatives for an i7 920 that I should consider?

Also, will this ram be compatible?

[nibbler]

it is for i7, but you could get a better price

[spac3d]

Yeah, that's quite popular RAM. Personally, i'd go for the ASUS board, because I trust them.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

To the OP it might we worth looking at these articles regarding the Phenom II and Core i7 in Crossfire setups:

http://www.modreactor.com/english/Re...re-i7-920.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ng,2403-3.html

[Just Browsing]

Thanks for the links, CTF. I'll read up on 'em now.

I'm just reading up on some reviews of the ASUS Rampage II GENE mobo. Is anyone familiar with this mobo or could recommend it over the ASUS P6TD Deluxe? Please do let me know which one would better suit my needs.

I'll hopefully be purchasing the goods tonight. And I have indeed succumbed to the i7 recommendations.